Catheter insertion device with blood analyzer

Abstract

A device and method yielding a blood analysis employable in combination with an introducer for a catheter for a concurrent testing of blood from the introducer flash chamber during placement of a venous catheter. The device employs a colorimetric blood analysis to provide the user a visually discernable alert to the results of tested blood concurrent with the placement of the catheter with the introducer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A blood testing apparatus adapted for fluid communication with a catheter or needle that is inserted into a vein or artery of a patient to convey blood from the patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing that defines a flash chamber, the flash chamber being adapted for fluid communication with the catheter or needle; 
 a substrate configured to generate, upon contact with a portion of the blood in the flash chamber from the catheter or needle, a visually discernable reaction to a presence or a threshold level of a substance in the blood, the visually discernable reaction being viewable through the housing; and 
 a fluid communication pathway between the substrate and the flash chamber, the fluid communication pathway defined by a surrounding sidewall of the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The blood testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an introducer coupled with the housing for the introduction of the catheter or the needle into the vein or artery of the patient, the introducer being in fluid communication with the flash chamber. 
     
     
       3. The blood testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a separation membrane interposed in the fluid communication pathway between the flash chamber and the substrate, the separation membrane being configured to allow only blood plasma from the portion of blood to pass through the fluid communication pathway. 
     
     
       4. The blood testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a microporous membrane positioned at least partially within the flash chamber. 
     
     
       5. The blood testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the microporous membrane is connected with the substrate. 
     
     
       6. The blood testing apparatus in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the microporous membrane enables sequestration of the portion of blood in the flash chamber for a period of time. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for testing a presence or threshold level of a substance in a patient's blood, the apparatus comprising:
 a needle or catheter for insertion into a vein or artery of a patient to convey blood from the patient, 
 a housing having an input in fluid communication with the needle and an output, the housing defining a flash chamber connected with the input for fluid communication with the needle or catheter, the housing having at least one sidewall for viewing blood being conveyed from the patient; and 
 a substrate at least partially within the housing, the substrate being configured to generate, upon contact with a portion of the blood in the flash chamber from the needle or catheter, a visually discernable reaction to the presence or the threshold level of the substance in the blood. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein the flash chamber is further configured to hold the portion of the blood. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising a separation membrane interposed in a fluid communication pathway between the flash chamber and the substrate. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising an introducer coupled with the housing for the introduction of the needle or the catheter into the vein or artery of the patient. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , further comprising a microporous membrane positioned at least partially within the flash chamber. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the microporous membrane is connected with the substrate. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the microporous membrane enables sequestration of the portion of blood in the flash chamber for a period of time. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the microporous membrane includes a clotting factor to clot at least some of the portion of blood. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus for testing a presence or threshold level of a substance in a patient's blood conveyed via a needle or catheter introduced into a vein or artery of the patient, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing having an input configured for fluid communication with the needle or catheter, an output, and a flash chamber connected with the input and configured to receive a portion of the blood conveyed via the needle or the catheter, the housing having at least one sidewall for viewing at least some of the portion of the blood being conveyed from the patient; and 
 a substrate at least partially within the housing, the substrate being configured to generate, upon contact with a portion of the blood in the flash chamber from the needle or catheter, a visually discernable reaction to the presence or the threshold level of the substance in the blood.